Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I agree with the previous comments. The Minister of State pretends to lend an ear to what is said in this House, but has no intention of accepting any amendments. The organisation of business in the House has come as a diktat from Government and we know this from the Leader of the House. He has no room to manoeuvre in terms of the timing. With the dissolution of the Dáil it is clear there is no intention on the part of the Minister of State or the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, to accept amendments. This unwillingness to accept amendments is not because they may lack merit. It is simply a blanket policy to reject all amendments and it ties in with the agenda of the Government to rush this legislation.